3.22.2006

Remote control guns

The article talks about remotely operated guns, like the one mounted atop the Striker vehicle. The obvious extension is to place the guns in permanent turrets and let people operate them from miles away.

All of the technology exists to do this. Between remotely operated guns, remotely piloted aircraft and autonomous vehicles, it is easy to imagine a robotic force in less than 10 years. It is inevitable and unstoppable.

So here is a question to think about. What if, in Iraq today, there were no human soldiers dying? And what if it cost a lot less to deploy the force because there were no human soldiers on the ground in Iraq? Would there be any pressure to end the war? What would inhibit us from starting other wars in nations that do not have the resources to resist our robotic forces? I know a number of people who think that lack of inhibition will be a very good thing. I know a number of others who think it will not.